I am looking for any freeware software that will take a photo and convert it into G-Code (or into any other format that could be converted to G-Code with other free software; like DXF). I have this gift idea in mind where I would use my CNC machine to make coasters for my wife's birthday; I figure I could take 4 to 8 of her favorite pictures of our son and put one photo on each coaster.

I have the capability of running both Ubuntu and Windwos XP, so either OS is viable. I have found the nc software from Mr Soft, but they are not free. His software is not outrageously expensive, but I thought I'd see if anyone here knew of any freeware alternatives.

Thanks!

SPCE, G-CODE-IT, bitmap to g-code

Thanks! I searched google for "bmp to dxf" thinking I would just use a tool to convert the 3-D model to g-code. I never thought to search for "bitmap to g-code."

Hey Pirin, I was studying the emc2 manual and found out it already has powerful image to gcode interpreting!

http://www.linuxcnc.org/docview/html//gui_...e-to-gcode.html

Fantastic! Based on the information in the manual, I may be able to make a lithophane, like in PhotoVCarve, for free!

Thank you for keeping my request in mind. Now... I just have to finish my CNC machine.